05 May 2013, Male'; The United Nations Secretary General's Special Representative Ms. Martha Santos Pais paid a courtesy call on Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Dr. Abdul Samad Abdullah this morning.
The Minister welcomed Ms. Pais to the Maldives and expressed his confidence that her timely visit would be of immense benefit to the Government. The Minister also briefed the Special Representative on the progress achieved by the country in promoting children's rights and conveyed the Government's commitment to international human rights standards and explained the work being done to align domestic laws and efforts to the Maldives' international treaty obligations. During the discussion Ms. Pais praised the Maldives' international role in promoting human rights and commended the Government's work as the Vice Chair of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.Ms. Pais also highlighted the effectiveness of SAIVAC as an apex body of SAARC. Discussions at the meeting also focused on the extensive reform required of the existing child protection system and how her mandate could assist the Government in this regard.
The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Ministry.
During her visit Ms. Pais is scheduled to hold discussions with key domestic stakeholders including Ministers and parliamentarians. She will also call on the President and is scheduled to visit the Kudakudhinge Hiyaa in Vilingili.
The mandate of the SRSG was established in 2008 and she is a global independent advocate for the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against children. The mandate of the SRSG is premised on human rights standards and effective implementation of core international conventions. Her mandate involves "mobilizing action and political support to maintain momentum around this agenda and generates renewed concern at the harmful effects of violence on children; to promote social change, and to achieve effective progress".
ENDS